Welcome Aboard

Na wa o! See how jets have become pure water sha! In fact, pure water is almost becoming more of the rarity compared to private jets! Yes…yes… I exaggerate but I’m sure you get my drift. I read recently how the congregation of Bishop (or is it Reverend, Pastor, Deacon? Not sure) Oritsejafor bought him a jet to celebrate his birthday which according to the church coincided with his some plenty years at the bar…er, sorry, pulpit. I apologize, force of habit.

What people want to buy as gifts for anybody is, in truth, not any business of mine. This however does not mean I am not entitled to have an opinion on it not does it preclude me from sharing that opinion. I must state that this piece is in no way restrictive and extends to all the private jet globe trotting pastors. Now to the issues/ questions I have about this.

First, was it raised in Church at ‘offering time’ or at some covert service held at some secret location-Since, the pastor wasn’t supposed to find out about it? Was the congregation asked to donate or pledge certain sums for ‘Daddy” or “Papa” (as they are fondly referred to now) private Jet? Or was it the handiwork of a few haves who believed it an insult for their Daddy to keep riding commercial planes and so decided to get him this token to show their love and appreciation?

Also, am I to believe that there is not one among the members of these churches who lacks or is in need? Don’t get me wrong- I am not insinuating that the pastor is to be the messiah and solve the problems of every single member of his congregation (but then again, he IS their ‘Daddy” right?) but seriously…a jet??? Couldn’t this money be put to other purposes? Purchasing a jet is no small feat- neither is maintaining it!

Furthermore, he says it was a gift he received. With due respect (realize that I said ‘due’ respect), I refuse to believe a plan like this was cooking and he was unaware of it. After all, it was said to be paid for or bought by the congregation. Some might even argue that perhaps it was bought by a few rich members of the church but was only given to him in the name of the entire congregation…and I quite agree. In that case therefore, it may have come as a surprise (which I doubt); he would therefore do well to (as the others should too) sell it off and put the money towards “spreading” the gospel. By spreading the gospel, I am not asking that some people be gathered in an arena and the word of God be brandished or spat at them nor am I proposing that bible verses be quoted to the needy, sick, hungry, jobless etc asking and urging them to believe and be strong and have faith and believe…most certainly not! I am certain they have recited these biblical passages to their various situations over and over again! I am asking that amenities, training, welfare, and in necessary cases, cash be given and made available to these lacking individuals and communities. Even more especially in the wake of the flood that has ravaged certain parts of this country and has rendered thousands homeless- I hardly feel it’s the right and “brotherly” thing at this time to be living so lavishly. Whatever happened to looking out for your neighbour?

Truth is, I see many pastors stand at their pulpits and preaching to people how to be patient and wait upon the Lord; however, they who do the preaching have decided not to wait that wait but rather live extravagantly off the tithes and offerings and sacrifices given by these same congregations who have to strive extra hard to give in the hope that their blessings would be multiplied.

The irony for me is that we find people who do not claim to be nor pretend to be Christians or belong to any organized religion giving their time, services and money to help others while most of our church leaders are too busy preaching prosperity (which, going by their messages would only come when you give all that you have to the church), turning themselves into rap and R & B stars with their hair dos and blings; canoodling with the corrupt leadership we have and driving bullet proof phantoms and limousines in convoys of armed guards (I’m not sure what has happened to the guardian angels we have been told of) and turning themselves to semi gods over the very people who have helped to make them (directly/ indirectly) who they are! How sad!

In a society where we have more churches than schools on every street, we see evidence of man’s inhumanity to man everyday. It also seems that vast knowledge of the bible and some history is now the criteria for putting up a structure and starting up a church!

That said, I am of the opinion that this exists because out government has failed its citizens so much so that the only source of hope of majority is their head tilted up towards the heavens and this vulnerability is what these preachers and pastors are utilizing to the very limits their power would allow to siphon money off their congregation. And where a man has lost hope and is told he could have a life as flamboyant and as colourful as the pastor’s (which is also a pointer f the thwarted concept we have of success) if only he would give, give and keep giving to the church, such a man would give pretty much everything. After all, the more he gives, the more he should expect!

Despite all of this however, what makes it even more saddening is how these “followers” see no wrong in all that is going on. In fact, any negative statement about their pastors would summon their wrath.

I’d like to conclude by ‘praying’ that our religious leaders begin evaluating their “calling” (many would make good sales men) and be sure to search their hearts to see if they weren’t ‘called’ by the life they saw other pastors and preachers living and want same for themselves.  I also consider it time for us to begin to look critically at religion and our beliefs and not see it as some far-away phenomenon but rather as a way of life requiring us to speak out on behalf of the oppressed, help the needy, be our brothers’ keepers; live upright lives full of integrity and just doing unto others what we would have them do unto us- THIS is what the message of the bible is. This goes for not just the congregation but also the pastors!

In the story of the Good Samaritan, I recall the bible saying that you should do good and give unto everyone who you come in contact with as that person is your neighbour…not just to your pastor! If we begin to see this change in attitude in our church leaders and they begin to live their talk, considering the number of churches we have in this country, I dare to dream of the fantastic county we would have to call our own…our home!